My Yorkie needs 3 operations....

[rtr]

Having dealt with bladder stones and heart issues in my yorkies, in my opinions it is best to go to a veterinary teaching hospital for any serious case.

The closest one to you that I know of is Cornell University in New York, but there is also Angell Memorial in Boston which I've heard good things about. I suggest you make an appt. with them and let them help you work through this case.

Also if your yorkie has any bladder stones in the future if they are caught when small enough they can do a procedure called eurohydropulsion which expresses the stones out the urethra and no incisions are required.

If surgery is still required it can also be done laparoscopically, our dog has had a cystotomy (bladder stone surgery) 3 times and one of those was laporoscopically and he recovered much much quicker.

[gidgetann]

You may want to go to this link and check out this Liver Shunt Support Group on Yahoo. My Yorkie doesn't have a liver shunt but she had high Liver Levels as a result of medication she was on and this group was great at giving me advice.

Liver_Shunt_And_MVD_Support : Liver Shunt & MVD/HMD Support

Almost everyone in this group has gone through similar issues with their furbabies.

Hope this helps.

Lee Ann

[Txgurl06]

Originally Posted by MoxieEli

Hi,

I am facing a very difficult decision and I'm hoping conversing with other Yorkie owners will help me thru this.

In May of 2008 we adopted 2 male Yorkies (brothers). Moxie is larger and stronger of the two, very active and very loving. Eli is less active but also very loving. Moxie, the parents and siblings are all heathy.

Approximately two months ago we noticed Eli developed a limp and his rear legs were gradually becoming weaker and unstable. A month ago the vet did an x-ray and determined Eli may have early stages of hip dysplasia. It was decided to bring him back in one month for more x-rays.

Yesterday when I came home from work and took the dogs outside, I noticed Eli was struggling to pee. After several attempts all he could produce was a slow drip. Shortly after we were on our way to the vet.

The vet suspected bladder stones but could not see them in an x-ray. An x-ray of Eli's hips did verify hip dysplasia. The vet instructed me to take Eli to the emergency hospital immediately.

At the emergency hospital they gave Eli a mild sedative and inserted a catheter to drain his bladder. An ultra sound verified bladder stones. Although the stones will need to be analyzed, a blood test leads the vet to believe Eli has a liver shunt. The vet gave me my options, I held Eli for a short time, paid a deposit and then drove home to discuss the situation with my wife.

At 1:00 my wife had a long talk with the vet and we decided to go ahead with surgery to remove the stones to buy us time to make other decisions. Because Eli will need surgery for hip dysplasia and for a possible liver shunt we asked the vet what he would do if he were us. We understand Yorkies can have difficulties with anesthesia. The vet felt 3 major operations may be too much for Eli and there are no guarantees he'll survive. He basically said he wouldn't do it and we should consider the alternatives.

I hate to make a decision on Eli's life because of money. But there are no guarantees that he will live a happy and healthy life after all of this or will survive the operations. We are looking at $1300 for last nights surgery, $3-5000 for liver shunt (more if 2 operations are required) and $1000+ for hip operation.

I'm hoping you all can provide information and help me with very hard decision. What would you do?

Sorry for such a depressing message. Thanks to all who respond.

Moxie and Eli's dad.

did you get them from a breeder? If so did they have a health contract?

[MoxieEli]

They came from a forever home breeder. the only thing in the contract is they will replace the dog within a year if anything happens to Eli. That doesn't help us...

I have joined the support group - they have been a big help. On Monday we are meeting with the vet and specialist to decide what to do next. At this point I'm leaning towards taking Eli to UT.

[yorkiezfamily]

I am so sorry to hear of his health problems. i have not experience with this but would like to add that their are organizations to help with health costs. their are prerequisites and I dont know what they are, but the option of making payments could ease the financial burden. Hopefully someone here can point you in the right direction as to the web site addresses. prayers for you...

[luvfla]

Bumpin' this up.

[Txgurl06]

Originally Posted by MoxieEli

They came from a forever home breeder. the only thing in the contract is they will replace the dog within a year if anything happens to Eli. That doesn't help us...

I have joined the support group - they have been a big help. On Monday we are meeting with the vet and specialist to decide what to do next. At this point I'm leaning towards taking Eli to UT.

have you tried contacting the breeder to let her know many she will help.

[phfgkl]

I will make my story short, but, my son bought a golden retriever pup 3 years ago. Our son moved back home with us for a year, in between renting and buying his first house. When he moved out, the dog stayed, as I had boughten a german shepherd and the 2 dogs were so close to one another, we didn't want them separated. We noticed one day the golden wasn't getting up as easy, etc etc. So, took her in to the vet. She did an xray, and the golden had the worst case of hip dysplasia she had ever seen in such a young dog. she did say the surgery was an option, but, very expensive. We decided we were going to try the meds. So, she's on a pain pill( 1 1/2 pills twice a day) and they had her on rimadyl(for arthritis), Well, the one pill for pain, I get filled at walmart(3 mos supply under $20) and the rimadyl was closer to $400 for every 4 mos. So, I started cutting back on the rimadyl, and started giving her glucosamine tablets from petsmart. They had also given her glucosamine shots for 8 weeks straight, and said most likely she would have to have another shot every 2-4 weeks the rest of her life(that was back the last weekend in August). We had to take her back in about 4 weeks ago, to make sure her liver etc was still fine, and they were amazed with her. She's gaining back some muscle, and she's actually running fast again, and is able to put her paws up on the fence and us, and the trees(which she wasn't able to do for awhile). We decided against the surgery, it was so expensive, and the vet said there was no gurantee with it. If you would like the name of the pain pill so you can ask your vet about it, just pm me and I'll send you the informataion. I feel so bad for you, I know where you're coming from, but, as I said, when the vet said there was no gurantee with the surgery, we opted to go the less expensive way, and it's working great. We're usually always home, so the meds twice a day is no problem for us, and if we do go away, our son swings by and gives her her pills.
Good luck on whatever you decide!

[ltret0294]

DJ was around 6 when he had biopsies done and had no problem with the anesthesia. Just make sure the vet/s use the proper dosage and right kind of anesthesia. While under the vet surgeron found an external type shunt and closed it off with a ameriid(?) type constricter and DJ did ok. Glourmerii disease, where protein is not retained by the kidneys and put back in the body and is lost, and chronic renal failure (CRF) were his down fall late jan 08. 4 biopsies and shunt surgery cost 2,800. There is a credit card called Care Credit that is very helpful in financing pet surgeries (also some people dental offices). The Yahoo group is very good for info and support. I am very sad that you and your wife are being faced with these surgeries. We went through the same with DJ. PM me if you would like more info such as web links. Bob

[MoxieEli]

Thanks to all for the responses.

Yes - I have contacted the breeder to see if any of the siblings or parents have had any problems. She said no that this would be the 1st. My wife noticed the breeder's website suddenly has been removed.... I'm not trying to blame them for any of this - I just hope they don't try to ignore us and be honest with any questions we have.

Other than Eli's hips, you would never know there are problems. He loves to play and eat. This weekend he was running thru the house alot but his stride is more of a hop. He loves the cat and is constantly aggravating him.

Today we are hoping to meet with the vet and specialist is discuss the options - we're just waiting for the vet to call to set up a meeting. Wish me luck.

[mogli]

This situation sucks ...

At 9 months old, he can still live a long, happy life. If he were older or the prognosis dire, then it would be a less difficult decision.

I would definitely be all over the breeder ... as in calling every day. Re-read the contract if you have one, most have a health guarantee for the first year.

Liver shunt is often treatable.
Hip dysplasia is treatable.

The cost is what is so hard to fight with. It's tough because we don't want to back down if it is something that we could have helped with. At the same time, at some point the $ becomes too great of a factor.

Sending good vibes ...

[MoxieEli]

Here's a long overdue update. It's been a hectic winter with the snow raising havoc with the power system ( I work for the power company) and kids sports.

In January I drove Eli to University of Tennesee. It was confirmed he has a liver shunt, he was operated on the next day and 2 days after the operation we were on our way back to Maine. He recovered rapidly - has become more active and even grew more shortly after the operation. In a coupe more weeks we'll be taking him in for his BAT's. If everything is OK, he will be scheduled for his hip operation and then - hopefully, he'll have a normal healthy life.

MoxieEli

[drabinowitz43]

I am so happy for you!! What a good dad you are driving from Maine to Tennessee!! Eli is lucky to have you. My Joey is recovering from liver shunt surgery. He also had no symptoms except for the abnormal bloodwork and stones. He is slowly healing, but the poor thing is exhausted. I wish all the best for you and Eli.

[YorkieShadow]

Originally Posted by MoxieEli

Here's a long overdue update. It's been a hectic winter with the snow raising havoc with the power system ( I work for the power company) and kids sports.

In January I drove Eli to University of Tennesee. It was confirmed he has a liver shunt, he was operated on the next day and 2 days after the operation we were on our way back to Maine. He recovered rapidly - has become more active and even grew more shortly after the operation. In a coupe more weeks we'll be taking him in for his BAT's. If everything is OK, he will be scheduled for his hip operation and then - hopefully, he'll have a normal healthy life.

MoxieEli

Thanks for the update. I hope so he will have a great healthy life, thank you for doing so much for him.

[lil fu fu girl]

I am so happy that things are working out for you and Eli. What great people you are to take such good care of him. Thank goodness you got him, it was meant to be. My thoughts and prayers are with you!